scholarly journals Multi-Family Therapy for First Episode Psychosis: Experiences of Families in Singapore

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Loh ◽  
Wilfred Liang ◽  
Helen Lee ◽  
Astelle Koh
Keyword(s):  
Family Therapy ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Expert Advice ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Intervention Programme ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Therapeutic Processes ◽  
And Coping

Aim: This qualitative study examined the experiences of families with Multi-Family Therapy (MFT) provided by the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP) in Singapore. The MFT was piloted over a period of 2 years and findings from this study were used to further refine the MFT to better meet the needs of Singaporean families in the service.Methods: Families who completed the MFT were invited to participate in the study. Nine clients and ten carers who consented to participate in the study were allocated to two client and two carer Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) respectively. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to facilitate the discussions. The FGDs were audio recorded, transcribed, and anonymised. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.Results: Four main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) therapeutic processes of MFT, (2) positive changes in family relationships, (3) improvements in coping with psychosis, and (4) suggestions for improvement in MFT. The families suggested some structural changes to the MFT, and more carers than clients would prefer therapists to offer more expert advice.Conclusions: Findings suggest that a Western-based MFT can be adapted to work with Singaporean families. This study sheds light on the therapeutic processes that may be related to the changes in family relationships and coping with psychosis. In addition, it suggests that therapists taking an expert and authoritative approach may not fit with the needs of younger generations in Singapore. It advocates for therapists to take a flexible and fluid stance to work with Singaporean families.

The influence of family therapy on psychological stress and social adaptability of depressed patients

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Qinghua Chen ◽  
Wenqing Zhao ◽  
Qun Li ◽  
Harnof Sagi
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
College Students ◽  
Family Therapy ◽  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Stress And Coping ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Social Adaptability ◽  
And Coping

BACKGROUND: with the increase of study and life pressure, the number of depressed college students showed an increasing trend year by year, and the drug treatment alone could not achieve a comprehensive recovery of depression patients, so it was more necessary to pay attention to the spiritual treatment. OBJECTIVE: this research aimed to better understand the relationship between college students’ depression and life events, social support, psychological pressure, and coping style, and the influence of systematic family therapy on depression degree, psychological stress, and social adaptability of college students with depression. METHODS: in this study, 105 college students with depression were selected as the research object, and healthy college students were taken as the control group. Through questionnaire, the differences in life events, social support, psychological stress, and coping styles between the groups were compared. The correlation between the degree of depression and various variables were analyzed, and the impact path of each variable on depression was analyzed using the path analysis model. Depression patients were then divided into a conventional group treating with conventional medications and an observation group treating with systematic family interventions. Differences in Hamilton Depression Scale-17, (HAMD-17), CPSS, and Social Adaptive Functioning Evaluation (SAFE) scores were compared and analyzed between the two groups before treatment (T1), during the treatment (T2), and after treatment(T3). RESULTS: there were significant differences in scores of life events, social support, psychological stress, and coping styles between the healthy control group and the depressed patients (P <  0.05). There was an obvious correlation between different depression degrees and life events, social support, psychological stress, and coping styles (P <  0.05). Life events, social support, and psychological stress had a direct and significant impact on depression (0.250, 0.218, and 0.392; P <  0.05), and they also had an indirect and significant impact on depression through coping styles (P <  0.05). The systematic family treatment model could significantly reduce HAMD-17 and CPSS scores (P <  0.05), and significantly improve SAFE scores (P <  0.05). CONCLUSIONS: adverse life events, lack of social support, excessive psychological stress, and negative coping styles can aggravate college students’ depression. Systematic family therapy can improve the degree of depression, reduce the psychological stress, and enhance the social adaptability of college students with depression.

scholarly journals Escaping the past and living in the present: a qualitative exploration of substance use among Syrian male refugees in Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jutta Lindert ◽  
Ulrike Neuendorf ◽  
Marta Natan ◽  
Ingo Schäfer
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Audio Recordings ◽  
Psychosocial Difficulties ◽  
Professional Treatment ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

Abstract Background Syrians have been the largest group of refugees in Germany since 2014. Little is known about Syrian refugees` perspectives on substance use. The aim of this study is to investigate the perspective of male refugees from Syria and to foster specific knowledge and understanding of substance use. Methods We applied a qualitative study design. Five semi-structured focus group discussions with a total of 19 refugees were conducted in 2019 among the difficult to reach population of Syrian refugees. Audio recordings were translated and transcribed. We used a hybrid approach by integrating inductive and deductive thematic frameworks. Results We identified common themes. Firstly, refugees perceived that substances are widely available and accepted in Germany. Secondly, refugees perceived that rules and norms in Germany differ from rules and norms in the home country and favor availability of substances. Thirdly, substance use is related to the intention to escape the past. Fourthly, substance use is related to living in the present through connecting with others and being part of the community. Finally, mental health professional treatment for substance use is associated with shame. Conclusions Findings support Syrian refugees` perspectives of substance use as a way of both escaping the past and coping with psychosocial difficulties in the present in a socio-ecological understanding. Understanding the explanatory model of Syrian refugees can inform future interventions to prevent substance abuse and design tailored interventions. Further studies with Syrian refugees in more countries are needed to better understand resettled refugees` perspectives on substance use.

Mothers’ Experiences of Wellbeing and Coping While Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Parton ◽  
Jane M. Ussher ◽  
Janette Perz
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Dependent Child ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽  
Letting Go ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can result in difficulties for mothers when undertaking daily care activities and increased psychological distress. However, few studies have examined how women with RA subjectively experience coping and wellbeing as part of their motherhood. Methods Twenty mothers with a diagnosis of RA and a dependent child (18 years or younger) who were living in Australia took part in a semi-structured interview between June and November 2017. Purposive sampling was undertaken to include participants across degree of current RA severity, number and age of children, and having received a diagnosis before or after a first child to take account of variability across these experiences. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on the interview transcripts. Results The following themes were identified: ‘Burden and complexity in the mothering role’, ‘Losing control: Women’s experiences of distress’, and ‘Adjusting and letting go: Women’s experiences of wellbeing’. Experiences of distress, including feelings of failure, were associated with accounts of a loss of control over mothering practices among women, regardless of child age. In contrast, accounts of adjusting mothering practices and relinquishing control were associated with reports of enhanced wellbeing. In addition, some mothers reported greater ease due to increased independence of older children. The absence of social support exacerbated burden and distress in the women’s accounts, while the availability of support alleviated burden and was associated with reports of wellbeing. Conclusion Health professionals and services can provide support to mothers with RA by addressing feelings of failure, acknowledging strategies of adjustment and letting go, and encouraging access to social support.

What Do They Want From My Life? Parent-Child Relationships as Perceived by Druze Adolescents in Israel

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-281
Author(s):  
Randa Abbas ◽  
Sherri P. Pataki ◽  
Vered Vaknin-Nusbaum ◽  
Salman Ilaiyan
Keyword(s):  
Family Relationships ◽  
Intergenerational Conflict ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
The Past ◽  
Supportive Family ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Parent Child Relationships ◽  
Parent Child

This research examined Druze adolescents’ perception of their relationships with parents in Israel. Israeli Druze is a small group accounting for only 2% of Israel’s population. The Druze society is patriarchal; it demands absolute loyalty to the values of religion, family, and clan. Our goal was to explore the impact of increasing intercultural contact with modern Israeli society and the outside world on parent-child relationships in a traditional society that demands absolute loyalty and obedience to elders. The researchers used the phenomenological approach to understand parent-child relationships from the perspective of the adolescents themselves. Twelve Druze adolescents, six females and six males ranging in age from 16 to 18, completed a semi-structured interview in which they were asked to describe their relationships with parents. Participants were prompted to describe a recent conflict, if any, and the way in which the conflict was resolved, as well as a positive and a negative interaction with parents in the past year. Thematic analyses revealed intergenerational conflict related to perceived acculturation gaps. Other consistent themes portrayed supportive parent-child relationships and the adolescents’ commitment to Druze heritage. Overall, findings suggest that although increasing exposure to modern society may lead to intergenerational conflict, Druze adolescents remained grounded in supportive family relationships and their religious heritage.

A voxel based morphometry study investigating brain structural changes in first episode psychosis

2012 ◽  
Vol 227 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Watson ◽  
Julie M.E. Anderson ◽  
Feng Bai ◽  
Suzanne L. Barrett ◽  
T. Martin McGinnity ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Voxel Based Morphometry ◽  
Episode Psychosis

scholarly journals Stress and Coping Strategies of Parents of Children with Special Needs

1970 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 186
Author(s):  
Windy T. de la Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Special Needs ◽  
Coping Strategy ◽  
Stress Level ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Children With Special Needs ◽  
Maladaptive Coping ◽  
And Coping

In the Philippines, there is an increasing number of children with special needs, and parents' ability to cope has implications with the way they raise their child as well as in family relationships. This descriptive, comparative, and correlational study focused on determining the stress level of parents, their demographic characteristics, and coping strategies. Data were gathered using standardized instruments as well as profile sheets from the 57 parents who were chosen through the snowball sampling technique. Data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Findings showed a significant relationship between the stress level and educational attainment. Furthermore, parents utilized adaptive coping as their dominant coping strategy, but they were also at varying degrees and at different times of utilizing maladaptive coping strategies. The stress level was positively associated with maladaptive coping strategy suggesting that parents were prone to emotional problems. Results had implications for mental health practices in the country. 

scholarly journals Various ICT-based applications and their uses to support smart city implementation in the Regency of Blora

2020 ◽  
Vol 200 ◽  
pp. 07004
Author(s):  
Rini Rachmawati ◽  
Pinta Rachmadani ◽  
Vivy Nur Anifa ◽  
Fina Lutfiana
Keyword(s):  
Smart City ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Research Result ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
City Development ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Result Show ◽  
Information And Communication

One of the implementations of the smart city concept is by making use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based applications in providing public services. The Regency of Blora is one of the Indonesian regencies belonging to the 100-Smart-City. The aims of the research are identifying the applications contained in the programs in the smart city master plan on each dimension, identifying the applications most used to support smart city implementation, analyzing The Use of Aplication, and recommending applications required for implementing smart city. This research uses a qualitative approach. This research includes an application-based Blora Smart City development program implemented in six smart city dimensions. Applications that have been used properly are selected through focus group discussions (FGD). Application provider informants were selected purposively, while for application users five informants were selected. Data processing was carried out using in-depth interview transcripts. Data analysis was carried out by descriptive qualitative. The research result show that various applications have been used to support the realization of the Regency of Blora as a smart city. Some of the society members have been making use of the applications to deserve public services. However, to support the uses of ICTbased applications in an optimum level, it is necessary to make it easy to access internet, to socialize the existence of applications, and to obtain aspiration from local people for the policy of applying the applications. Evaluation of application utilization is recommended as a follow-up research through structured interview surveys of application users with a larger number of respondents.

scholarly journals What stresses adolescents? A qualitative study on perceptions of stress, stressors and coping mechanisms among urban adolescents in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
TK Nagabharana ◽  
Shama Joseph ◽  
Azeez Rizwana ◽  
Murali Krishna ◽  
Mary Barker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Stress And Coping ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Older Adolescents ◽  
And Coping

Background: In India, stress levels are increasing steadily among youth. We aimed to explore the factors that contribute to psychological stress and coping strategies among adolescents in Mysore, India to inform the development of an intervention. Methods: We recruited 16 volunteers in Mysore, India including 6 younger (12-15 years; 3 girls) and 10 older adolescents/ young adults (17-25 years; 5 girls) using a purposive sampling technique. Older adolescents were recruited from ongoing birth cohort study, and the younger adolescents by word-of-mouth from the community. Individual in-depth interviews were carried out based on a semi-structured interview guide comprising open-ended questions. The interviews were analysed to derive themes and emerging constructs related to stress and coping strategies.  Results: Adolescents generally perceived stress in their daily lives. Family conflicts and academic pressures were the main triggers for increased stress. Issues around peer relationships, and social position were also important contributors. Adolescents reported that they had robust coping strategies. These included stress release through rationalising and acceptance of the situation, distraction activities, spirituality, and self-comforting methods. However, they felt the need for further support from their family, and the society in general. In particular they expressed the need for a space to share their concerns and obtain guidance through healthy discussions with adults.      Conclusions: Our study indicates that adolescents in India are exposed to a wide range of stressors in their daily lives. The conflict between ‘traditional’ society’s opinions of what adolescents should do and the new age adolescents’ aspirations for autonomy to find ‘informed’ solutions for their issues may hinder the stress management efforts. Moving forward, we propose to develop a culturally acceptable intervention tool that accommodates adolescents’ perspectives and psychosocial context.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic Study of Climate Change and its Impacts on Livelihoods of People Living Around the Coastal Areas of the Gambia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Momodou Mustapha Fanneh
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Adaptation Strategy ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Community Residents ◽  
Access To Water ◽  
Hospital Cleanliness ◽  
And Coping

The research aims to assess the effects of climate change on the livelihood of people living around the coastal areas and coping strategies used. The study uses a quantitative method with semi-structured interview questionnaire and convenient sampling method and conducts a survey of coastal community residents in Banjul, Barra, Bakau, Tanji, Sanyang, Gunjur, and Kartong and uses a descriptive analysis. Majority of respondents are self-employed as fishermen, and fish dryers, fish smokers, ship builders and boat riders. Most of the borrowing is done individually and the line of credit is mostly below D20,000 and more than 85% receive less than that amount. More than 60% of the respondents have no access to land and 4.71% stated that they do not have access to water. Most of the respondents rank their friends as their source of borrowing followed by families and banks. About 93% stated that it takes them less than 40 minutes to get to the nearest health facility. Adaptation strategies employed to deal with health problems during variable and extreme climate are going to hospital, cleanliness, eating healthy using herbal medicine. More than 85% of the respondents did not experience shortage of food in a year. But price of food has been increasing over the last 5 years. Finally, respondents favored adaptation strategy is saving followed by involving in other livelihood activities, government assistance, cleaning the environment, tree planting and protection of coastal areas.

10-year outcome study of an early intervention program for psychosis compared with standard care service

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 1181-1193 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. W. Chan ◽  
H. C. So ◽  
C. L. M. Hui ◽  
W. C. Chang ◽  
E. H. M. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Intervention ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Long Term Outcome

Background.Despite evidence on the short-term benefits of early intervention (EI) service for psychosis, long-term outcome studies are limited by inconsistent results. This study examined the 10-year outcomes of patients with first-episode psychosis who received 2-year territory-wide EI service compared to those who received standard care (SC) in Hong Kong using an historical control design.Method.Consecutive patients who received the EI service between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2002, and with diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, were identified and matched with patients who received SC first presented to the public psychiatric service from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001. In total, 148 matched pairs of patients were identified. Cross-sectional information on symptomatology and functioning was obtained through semi-structured interview; longitudinal information on hospitalization, functioning, suicide attempts, mortality and relapse over 10 years was obtained from clinical database. There were 70.3% (N = 104) of SC and 74.3% (N = 110) of EI patients interviewed.Results.Results suggested that EI patients had reduced suicide rate (χ2(1) = 4.35, p = 0.037), fewer number [odds ratio (OR) 1.56, χ2 = 15.64, p < 0.0001] and shorter duration of hospitalization (OR 1.29, χ2 = 4.06, p = 0.04), longer employment periods (OR −0.28, χ2 = 14.64, p < 0.0001) and fewer suicide attempts (χ2 = 11.47, df = 1, p = 0.001) over 10 years. At 10 years, no difference was found in psychotic symptoms, symptomatic remission and functional recovery.Conclusions.The short-term benefits of the EI service on number of hospitalizations and employment was sustained after service termination, but the differences narrowed down. This suggests the need to evaluate the optimal duration of the EI service.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document